CONTAINMENT OF CHEMICAL AND WASTE POLLUTION WAS DISCUSSED AT THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES

In May 2023, over 2000 delegates attended the meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The main theme of the events was "Accelerating action: Targets for the sound management of chemicals and waste". Further key decisions were taken to address pollution and achieve the objectives of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the three leading multilateral environmental agreements for the sound management of chemicals and waste.

Progress was made on key issues under the conventions. These are, for example, listing of new chemicals that are determined as posing serious concerns to human health and the environment, for elimination under the Stockholm Convention; subjecting additional chemicals and pesticides to the Prior Informed Consent procedure and considering an amendment proposal concerning the listing process under the Rotterdam Convention. Finally, the development of technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of plastic waste, POPs waste and e-waste under the Basel Convention.

Speaking at the opening session of the Conference of the Parties, Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary (UNEP) of the three conventions, underscored that "the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) targets under the Stockholm Convention, to eliminate the use of PCB in equipment by 2025 and to achieve the environmentally sound management of liquids containing PCB and equipment contaminated with PCB by 2028, are just around the corner! It is thus imperative for the international community, donors and the funding institutions to accelerate action to assist Parties in achieving these targets".

Three new chemicals are proposed for listing in Annex A, B or C to the Stockholm Convention namely the pesticide: methoxychlor and the industrial chemicals Dechlorane Plus and UV-328.

Methoxychlor has been used as a replacement for DDT against a wide range of pests including biting flies, houseflies, mosquito larvae, cockroaches and chiggers on field crops, fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, as well as on livestock and pets. It is known to be very highly toxic to invertebrates and fish, including through its endocrine-disrupting effects, and has been detected in the environment and biota in the Arctic and in Antarctica, far from its production and use. Methoxychlor has also been detected in human serum, adipose tissues, umbilical cord blood and human breast milk.

Dechlorane Plus is a flame retardant and UV-328 is a UV absorbent. Both chemicals are heavily used as plastic additives, including for uses that require time to be phased out, such as for motor vehicles, industrial machines and in medical devices. For that reason, the POPRC-18 recommendations included time-limited specific exemptions. The three chemicals are proposed for listing based on a robust review process addressing risks, management options and alternatives by the UN’s POPs Review Committee.

More information is available at: www.brsmeas.org.

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